if the word of God does not change and what it says in the bible must always be followed...?

Question

how come christians do not hold animal sacrifices anymore ("you shall kill the bull before the LORD, at the door of the tent of meeting, and shall take part of the blood of the bull and put it upon the horns of the altar with your finger, and the rest of the blood you shall pour out at the base of the altar.")
why don't you consider women having their period and everything and everyone they touch as impure?
why don't christians have slaves? doesn't the bible also accept slavery? ("Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them. 2: When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. ")
This is GOD speaking....why don't you do what he says anymore? or...wait a second...isn't it that we don;t do some of these things anymore because in our new sociocultural context they are unacceptable? Then if we have adapted to our times in this sense, can't the church understand it needs to change in other senses too?

so how can some of you say the bible is only followed partly? isn't that what most christian people criticize of people who challenge their beliefs? that we want to CHOOSE what to believe and what not to believe? then how can you choose what part of the Bible to follow and what not? that is my question...

isn't God perfect or is he also allowed to change his mind? Like he first said...it's ok to hold slaves and then...no that was wrong, I'm going to send my son and change things...what kind of God would MAKE MISTAKES? Why didn't he get it right the first time? and don't tell me it was because he created man but he didn't know what man would do...what kind of OMNIPOTENT God would not see the future?

ok unless I have just made it up myself the word SLAVERY is written very clearly along with the word BUY...isn't it what slavery was? buying a person? last time i checked...

Answer 1

Here comes the answers. Mainly, this is because the bible is not the word of god, it is the word of man and has the cultural believes of man at the time of the bible in mind. But, the bible believers will come up with answers like, "It's how it interpreted," and, "THAT part is only a metaphore," and "Those are not God's words" bla blah blah. This is why religion is a farce. It cannot sustain with the same rules throughout time because of the natural change in how things operate. Everything changes, or evolves, but not the bible. It is still in the dark ages.

Answer 2

Alex-
There is the Old Testament and the New Testament. The OT is there showing our need for a savior and the NT is showing us that Jesus is our savior.
The sacrifices in the OT were a way to make things right with God. When Jesus died on the cross HE became the perfect sacrifice for our sins and so the blood offerings are no longer needed--Jesus has taken that on Himself and made a way through Himself to God.
the women and period thing--holds true with science--did you know that as a woman you are more able to get infections when you are cycling? You should abstain from sexual things during that time. Because we have running water and all it is easier to stay hygienic--during Bible days it was not easy at all and so the rule.
Slaves were not MANDATED but were an option. That really is an entirely too hot topic for this.
Yes, I believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Where some churches say we are under grace and therefor can do what we want are not being prudent. God gave us the structures of rules and regulations for good reasons. We should prayerfully consider ALL things laid out in the OT for our benefit.

Answer 3

1) The altar no longer exists because the temple was destroyed as prophesied in scripture. Therefore, the levitical preisthood ordinances can no longer be followed according to the Old Testament. Followers, however can still keep these commandments through the Messiah, the High Priest.

"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" -1 Peter 1:19

"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." - Hebrews 6:20

"Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." -Hebrews 7:27-28

That's why animal sacrifice is no longer made, not only is it impossible without the temple, but it is void by the fulfillment of the ultimate sacrifice being made.

2) A concept is being taught about the uncleanness and impurity of a woman while she is menstrating. This principle of uncleanness is still applicable. For example, a woman should not have sex during her cycle as it may cause infection and disease.

3) It is important to note the difference between a slave and an indentured servant. A slave is a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another. An indentured servant is a person placed under contract to work for another for a certain period of time---would you call a consultant working exclusively under contract a slave? Of course not. There is a big difference and it's clear the verse you're referring to is not speaking of slaves.

"If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing." - Exodus 21:2

You have misquoted (probably knowingly) in an attempt to express your cynical misconceptions.

4) Yahweh has not changed. The problem is people are looking for Him in religion, not in spirituality, through His Spirit. The scribes and the pharisees kept all of the law, yet were still found unworthy. Why? Because their hearts were not genuine. In Christendom, most have completely cast the law aside, thinking it was "for the Jews". But it is for all who wish to serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The church system is not of Yah, therefore it will keep changing with the world. The TRUE Church is within those who follow Him.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Answer 4

People keep asking the EXACT SAME QUESTION over and over again. Learn to use the search function, for crying out loud.

The reason that we do not have animal sacrifices anymore, well, did you ever hear of something called the CRUFIXON? Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, according to the New Testament, so we don't need animals anymore.

Where have you been?

As for the rest, well, The early apostles agreed that the only part of the Law of Moses that still applied to the church under the New Testament were the ones that were strictly moral in nature, and not those which only served to set apart Israel as a nation, or else solely pertained to the Israeli Theocracy which no longer existed (Acts 15; Galatians 3 & 5, for examples).

You seem to understand nothing of basic Christianity.

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As for the "impure woman" passage, you do realize that the New Testament abolsihed the whole "kosher" (I.E.: cermonially clean & unclean) thing, didn't you? See Acts 10

Answer 5

Two reasons: both found in the New Testament of the Bible. Jesus Christ is the ultimate sacrifice for sin (there is no longer a need for animal sacrifice because Christ's blood is the final sacrifice for sin): Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 7:26-28 (which says that human priests needed to sacrifice over and over for their sins before they could ask forgiveness for the people - but Jesus, the ultimate high priest, doesn't need to offer sacrifices over and over because he was the sacrifice which finally paid the full price of our sin); Hebrews 10:10 (which says we are made holy through Jesus' sacrifice once and for all). There are many more verses on this topic - read the book of Hebrews in the New Testament for more research.

The second part is this: Even Jesus did not live by the letter of the law, but my the Spirit of the law. It could be suggested that God never actually intended men to follow the very letter of the law - after all, the greatest commandments are to Love God fully and to love others fully; with these two laws obeyed all the other ones come naturally. Check out Matthew 12:1-13 where it appears even Jesus doesn't follow the letter of the law; He picks grain and heals on the Sabbath. Also check out 2 Corinthians 3:6 which basically says, it is more important to follow the Spirit of the law than the letter of the law. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives Life.

All of this to say, Yes, it is important to keep the law in mind, but Jesus was quick to say that He brought about a new covenant which gives us freedom! The Bible says this often in Romans and Hebrews which were written primarily to the Jews addressing their religious customs and their new faith. Also, in the book of Acts one can see this turn around when the Gentiles are allowed to believe in God. There are many debates between the Jewish Christians - "Gentiles should be allowed to be believe in Christ but ought to be circumsized also because it is traditionally the way we know they are set apart for the community of God and are saved!" Other Christians though said, "No! The Gentile believers DO NOT need to be circumsized - salvation is in faith alone through the grace of Jesus Christ." For more info on this check out Acts 15.

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

You will find that explained in details in the New Testament book of Hebrews.

Realize that the sacrifices where begun at the time of Moses, which chronologically was thousands of years after Adam and Eve, and Noah. Hundreds of years after Abraham, and only about 1500 years before Jesus. The time before those sacrifce was longer then the time of the sacrifices.

When God instituted them, they were to serve as signs to point to Jesus. He was to be the true sin sacrifice. If you look at all the difference rituals, you can find every detail of Jesus' life, death and resurrection foreshadowed in them. For example, just as none of Jesus' bone were broken on the cross, so none of the bones of the Passover Lamb were to be broken. Or just as the sacrifice was to be examined by the priest and declared as having no blemish, so Jesus in the week before his trial, was questioned by the priest and each time found without blemish. The animal sacrifces were to serve as signs to point to him, so that when he came, he would be recognized.

At the cross, Jesus became the final sacrifice which fulfill all the rituals and laws that had been given. Once that was done, there was no reason to continue to make the animal sacrifices. The event that they were preparing people for had happened. So those sacrifices came to end.

Jesus himself talked about that when he said "I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it". Once he had done that, there was no need to continue them.

oh, and the Bible does NOT accept slavery. What you quoted there is not slavery. It is called indebted service. It was for a period of six years, and the person doing it received payment in the form of all his debts being paid off in exchange for the service, plus room, board, etc during that time. Very different thing from slavery.

Answer 7

After the birth of Christ, everything changed. The transistion from the Old Testament to the New Testament happened upon the birth of Christ. What you are saying is absolutely true. However, you're understanding of the text is not exactly right.

God understood that man would take on slaves contrary to what He wanted. Therefore, he set guidelines that they shall be released after a certain period of time. Instead of thinking that slavery was "ok" with God, think about what He wanted them to do after seven years.

Answer 8

The Old Testiment is where you are finding the old rituals as ordained by God during the time of Moses and the Prophets. When Jesus casm and died on the cross the New Testiment came into being. That is where the old rituals were put away. I hope this clears up the old and the knew, I can't tell if you are attacking Christianity or confused about the teachings of the Bible. But, know this, that God does love you.

Answer 9

You ask a good question. One that every Christian and Jew should be able to answer.

God's Word is forever and does not change. However, God has changed how he spoke to mankind and what His Law is for mankind. In the beginning God spoke to heads of households like Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob then to the Judges & Prophets. During Moses' time, God gave the Jews the Mosaic Law in which you have some references above (sacrifices, etc.).

The Mosaic Law was not intended to last forever. The prophet Jeremiah told the Jews that their law would be replaced.

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jesus fulfilled this replacement of the Old law with the New law with His death. Please study the book of Hebrews that explains this in much detail and logic. In particular the beginning of Hebrews chapter 8 is an obvious reference to Jeremiah's prophecy which had then been fulfilled.

Hebrews 8: 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

The descendants of the Jews today should be able to answer why they are not obeying their Old Law. It is because ONLY Levites were allowed to give animal sacrifices. As the New Testament prophesied, Jerusalem was destroyed around 70 A.D. The lineages/records were destroyed and the Jews scattered, essentially, destroying what had been the Jewish religion. However, many of the Jewish (nationality) descendants today, want to cling to that Old Jewish Law (religion) but they are not able to fully (Hmm... who is THE High Priest nowadays???).

So we are bound by covenant of the New Law (the New Testament) nowadays -- the sociocultural context that people want to turn to is just a subtle way of disobeying God.

Hope this helps your understanding.

Think about it -- figure it out.

Answer 10

Animal sacrifices were necessary for atoning for sins. When the Messiah came, those were done away with (sacrifices stopped in 70AD, when Nero destroyed the temple).
Regarding periods-that is under the Old Covenant, which was designed to show people their need for God. There is a distinction between the time before the Messiah (Old Covenant/Testament) and after His death, burial, and resurrection (inaguarted the New Covenant).
Slaves-the Bible does not condone slavery, but talks about the dignity of all men being created dearly loved by God.

Hope this helps.

Answer 11

This question comes up quite a bit. Christians have never been under the Mosaic law covenant. Those who WERE under the Mosaic law covenant are under it no more. See Colossians 2:14-17; see also Ephesians 2:15-16. The law covenant was put out of the way by God.

As for slavery, the Hebrew scriptures (that part commonly referred to as the Old Testament) regulated slavery. It did not legislate it. It did not make slavery obligatory.

So the fact that the law covenant has been put aside by God cannot be used to justify any move to "adapt to our times." We do not adapt God's word to ourselves. We adapt ourselves to God's word.

Further . . .

it is true that some feel the law is made up of different parts: ceremonial, civil and moral. If that were true, we should expect to find Jesus making this distinction. Did he?

Not according to his famous sermon on the mount. Take a look at just a couple of examples. At Matthew 5:21, Jesus references the commandment against murder. Yet in verse 23, Christ references the obligations of sacrifices and gifts. This was not one of the ten commandments.

At verse 27, Jesus references the commandment against adultery. At verse 31, he speaks of the certificate of divorce which was neither one of the commandments nor part of the so-called moral code. Again, Jesus speaks, in verse 38, of eye for eye and tooth for tooth. This was neither so-called ceremonial nor so-called moral. It had to do with dispensation of justice and would come under civil law. But nowhere does Jesus divide the law, neither does he make any distinction.

Did the apostle Paul make any distinctions? No. Notice Colossians 2:14 where he plainly states that the law covenant, consisting in decrees, was nailed to the stake . In verse 16 he says to let no man judge you in eating and drinking. Then what does he say? Don't let any man judge you respecting the keeping of a festival or the observance of a new moon or Sabbath. Eating dealt with clean and unclean foods. There was a commandment to keep the Sabbath. And there were injunctions respecting yearly festivals such as Passover, respecting what had to be done monthly – with every new moon. These references of Paul run the gamut of the Mosaic law – they are not confined to any so-called "ceremonial," 'civil" or "moral" division. Neither Christ nor Paul made any so-called distinctions of the law. Neither should we.



Hannah J Paul